'America's Got Talent' Top 48 perform, part 1: Live blog

Well, it's that time - after what seemed like countless weeks of auditions, America's Got Talent's Top 48 have been named and it's time to move on to the live shows. Don't get too excited - only 12 of them will be taking the stage tonight, but there's sure to be some exciting stuff in between.

Stay with Digital Spy live from 8:30/7:30c to see what the contestants have to give and what judges Howie Mandel, Sharon Osbourne and Howard Stern have to stay about it all!

22:55Well, that's it for tonight. Tomorrow night, eight of the twelve acts will be headed home... but who will it be? Join us tomorrow (Tuesday, July 3) at 9/8c to find out!

22:55All three judges give it a standing ovation - and to be honest, the final Mick Jagger 'Paint It Black' portrait is somewhat impressive - especially in comparison to what else has come before tonight. Howard is "in love" with this act and is certain that it'll go through tomorrow night. Sharon wants to say one thing - "You are rock and roll and I love you!" Howie loves how they put a new twist on the act every time and urges America not to assume that the group is safe and fail to vote.

22:52Well, it's the last act of the night, if you can believe it - David Garibaldi and his CMYKs are it, and I've hated this act since the first time I saw it. It's too avant garde for its own good and just... the worst. But it's gotten this far, so clearly some people are loving it. There's a rock theme going on tonight and yeah fine, I guess it's a little clever, but annoyingly clever, not fun clever. Maybe I'm just a curmudgeon. David is an amazing painter, though.

22:45Sharon is full of praise, admitting that she was initially really worried about the act as it could have gotten "a little cheesy". Still, she loves cheesy and congratulates them on nailing it tonight, saying that they'll definitely make it through to the next round. Howie was also skeptical, but is glad to say that her father did not hold her back tonight. "You're gonna go far!" he adds. Howard thinks the father is the heart and soul of the act and believes that America will vote for this act.

22:42Shanice and Maurice Hayes - the lovely father/daughter duo who will never win but are still fantastic - are up next. I have to say, I love them. I think they're adorable . They're singing Faith Hill's 'There You'll Be'. It's not a particularly exciting song, nor are either of them mind-blowing singers, but you can't help but love them.

22:35Howie is a big supporter of the group and believes the sacrifices they made along the way were worth it. Still, he tells them they need to 'step it up" as the competition is fierce. Howard wonders if they'll be going forward and predicts that they'll "be in a little trouble" when it comes to the voters. Sharon doesn't agree with Howard, though she believes they're all very different and "stand alone" in the competition.

22:33We're starting to wind down now, and it's the 787 Crew's turn to take to the stage. This is up my alley, so I have high hopes. Their performance is energetic and a lot of fun, though nothing the show hasn't seen before, to be honest. Lots of heavy dubstep beats, weird outfits and the like. Still, it's one of the most "show-like" things I've seen all day.

22:24Howie also gives it a 'no' buzz, and how Sharon is dealing with it, I don't know. Eventually, she does buzz 'no' as well, though by that point the performance is pretty much over. Howie jokes that Michael used the shovel to dig his own grave and insists that while he's using unconventional items to play as instruments, they still have to sound good. He also 'assures' Michael that America won't vote for him and he'll be headed home. Sharon attempts to stick up for him a bit since the others voted 'yes' on him in previous rounds.

22:21Oh, hey, it's the broom flute guy, Michael Nejad. I can't believe he's made it this far. Was he really that good? Well, it's unique, I'll give him that. He starts off playing a baseball bat, which gets him a 'no' buzz from Howard right away - especially since he's playing 'Moves Like Jagger'. This is awful. The crowd isn't liking it either, not even when he tries to turn a shovel into a violin. What an absolute racket.

22:14Sharon finds it "very impressive" and the audience even gave it a standing ovation. Perhaps I missed something. She thinks that many in the competition are quicker or more athletic, but they're original, which... I guess is meant to be a compliment. Howie agrees, calling it "amazing" that their choice of music and sound effects also helps to distinguish their act from others and might allow them to be one of the four acts who get through. Howard admits that the dance category is super tough, but thinks that they "hit a home run" tonight because they're memorable and did something new.

22:12Moving right along, it's time for The Scott Brothers. Twins freak me out - and they look like twins, but they're actually different ages. Thank goodness. Oh, it's synchronised dance. No thank you. It all seems a bit pedestrian. And I know what you must be thinking - "Doesn't she like anything besides animal acts?" No. No, I don't. Ha!

22:04Howie thinks that she "did wonderful" but offers some critique, saying that while her unique voice works in her favor, she needs to be more electric and command the stage more. Still, he hopes that she can continue in the competition. Howard tells her that it's a tough competition - especially in the singing category - and while he loved her Rolling Stones cover in Vegas, she's not doing anything that's memorable and needs to do more to distinguish herself. Sharon likes her song selection but thinks that her performance is lacking as she doesn't move around or show enough emotion.

22:01We've got no time to lose - singer Nikki Jensen is up next. She's from Australia and believes that America's where the opportunities are. Maybe post-WWII, lady, but not these days. Anyway, a girl can dream. She's performing Coldplay's 'The Scientist' and to be honest, kind of murdering it. Not in a good way. Sure, she's got a unique voice, yada yada, but this is just not working for me. Speaking of Coldplay, though - GO SEE THEM LIVE. They are amazing.

21:59Howard has high hopes for them and has always been a fan of the act, while Sharon also appreciates the elements of danger and excitement to it. Howie voices his support for the group to go on to the next round as he believes they have more to give.

21:55Plodding along, the American BMX Stunt Team is up next. This type of act doesn't interest me in the slightest, but to each his own. They do some jumps and turns and the like and it's all very "exciting", I suppose.

21:49Sharon loves the dogs and the idea of the act, but thinks that some of the material is slightly week and that he should work on it a bit. Howie agrees, saying that the material doesn't live up to the act, though he believes that the act itself is genius. Unfortunately, it just didn't make him laugh. Howard advises him to make the dogs come out a little stronger with some of the things they're saying. "Let 'em get angry, let 'em get wild!" he advises.

21:46Oh God, I love it. It's a mini ventriloquist act but with real dogs. I love them. The jokes are cute, the dogs are cute. What's not to like?

21:45Now we're talking - Todd Oliver is up next with his talking dogs. I love dogs! I especially love when they talk, so I have high hopes for this act. Irving and Lucy are adorable little puppies (shush, all dogs are puppies, regardless of age or size) and they look so sweet. I want a puppy!

21:39Howie jokes that she needs to change her name to "Big Star" because that's what she is. He thinks that she's "the next Shirley Temple" (erm, okay) and loves what she does. Howard calls her an adorable young lady and thinks she'll grow up to be a great dancer, but admits that the dance category this year is one of the toughest and it's not her time in the competition. Sharon disagrees, though, insisting that her confidence overflows on stage and that she 'owns it' when dancing.

21:36Okay, now we're talking with the child acts. It's 6-year-old Lil Starr, and she's here to bust a move. Yeah, you heard me. She's adorable - despite her decision to dance to LMFAO - though I'll admit I'm not all that into it. She's extremely talented and will no doubt grow up to be a professional dancer, but dear me. Can you imagine paying to see an hour-long (or more) show of this?

21:29Howard points out that the crowd turned on them and says that they failed to bring the "pizzazz" that they had in Vegas. Sharon agrees, admitting that it became "cheesy" and "Camp as Christmas". She thinks it was a good trick but that they "need longer towels" so you can't see the women in the act's feet beneath them. Howie disagrees with the others, calling it a "good trick" and joking that he loves anything with a shower since he likes to be clean. Oh, dear.

21:27Jarrett and Raja are, from what I can gather, classical pianists. Well, a classic pianist and a magician? I don't know. They're in the Top 48 so they must be good, right? While Raja taps away at the piano, Jarrett gives a less than stellar 'Singing In the Rain' performance before... making people appear under giant towels. He then appears under one himself and even gets Raja to appear. It earns some boos from the crowd.

21:19Sharon is wowed, and she disagrees with me - she loves the song choice and thinks that he hit "every single note" while still singing with great emotion. Also, I was wrong - he's not 12 (I swore they said he was 12), he's 14. No wonder I wasn't moved. Howie jokes, "Jew are terrific"... and I have nothing to say about that. Howard thinks that the fog machine was overused in the production, which seems a little beside the point, but goes on to applaud him for nailing the notes and for not being a "showbiz kid" and instead being "humble and nice".

21:17Next up, it's 12-year-old singer Edon. I'm a sucker for the kid acts, though he's slightly out of the age bracket that gets me the worst. Still, he's got a lot to give in his rendition of David Guetta/Sia's 'Titanium'. He somehow manages to get a lot of Sia's tone down, for better or worse, though I don't know that this was the best song choice for him. He ain't gonna win, I'll tell you that much for free.

21:10Howie thinks they did a really good job but that they need to become more than just a half-time show marching band. Still, he does see potential. Sharon is going to judge them solely on what she sees tonight and thinks that they've "got it going on". She also praises their great smiles and hearts and proclaims her love for the group. Howard agrees with Howie in that they need to make some changes to their sound, but also believes they're extremely talented.

21:08First up tonight, it's the Distinguished Men of Brass. I like brass, and these men are quite distinguished-looking, so let's give it a go. Aw, bless - they're really giving it their all on Beyoncé's 'Crazy In Love'. I quite like them. Could I watch a full Vegas show of them? That depends... are the drinks free?

21:04I have to say, before we get started here, that I can't believe the winner of this show gets a cool $1 million. ONE MILLION DOLLARS, people. Only to never be heard of again. I am vehemently against this - unless, of course, those adorable dogs win.

20:55Uh oh, we're getting closer - Nick's in the green room with... the entire Top 48. Oh, my. But before we spend too much time with them, it's time for a OneRepublic-soundtracked "This Is My Dream"-fest featuring many of our hopefuls saying such profound things as "This could change my life" and "It's all I ever wanted".

20:49Filed under things I didn't need to see, Howie's got a blackhead or something in his ear. As a notorious germophobe, he's none too happy when Sharon names herself the doctor in the situation and Howie's held down while it's extracted.

20:44Backstage with the judges now, who seem... I dunno, slightly bored? Except for Howie - he's tweeting, as per usual. At least it serves as an intro to seeing a little more of what goes on behind the scenes - bad jokes, practical jokes, the usual.

20:40Don't worry, I'm still here. My eyes are just starting to glaze over already. There's nothing notable in the "highlights", if that wasn't obvious.

20:34To pass the time, how about some highlights and outtakes from the audition season? I'm a fool for bloopers, I must admit.

20:33I'd say it's a bit early in the season for emotional opening montages, but no matter - we've got one anyway, and before the initial credits even begin rolling! Tonight's episode is live from New York City, and by New York City they mean slightly less glamorous Newark, New Jersey. Also, the actual "show" doesn't start for another 30 minutes. Oh boy.

20:31I'm baaaaack! Did you all miss me? (Probably not, I know.) In any case, we're in for the long haul tonight - 150 minutes of this tomfoolery. Hope you've got your snacks at the ready and are wearing comfy pyjamas, 'cos we're going to be here a while.